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Sloop HMS Auckland (L 61 / U 61)

23 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, RN) picks up six survivors from the Finnish merchant Onto that was mined and sunk off Smith´s Knoll Light Vessel.

6 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, RN) is docked in No.3 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (1)

10 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, RN) is undocked. (1)

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless (D 45)

24 Aug 1941

Convoy BM 8.

This troop convoy departed Bombay on 24 August 1941 and arrived at Port Swettenham on 3 September 1941.

This convoy was made up of the following transports / troopships; Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Ekma (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911), El Madina (British, 3962 GRT, built 1937), Ethiopia (British, 5574 GRT, built 1922) and Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) until this ship was relieved in the afternoon of August 28th by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN).

In the afternoon of August 31st, HMS Antenor was relieved by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN).

The convoy arrived at Port Swettenham on 3 September 1941. (2)

26 Aug 1941
With her collision repairs completed, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), departed Singapore for Penang. (3)

28 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Penang. (3)

29 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Penang for convoy escort duty.

For more info on the convoy she was to escort see the event ' Convoy BM 8 ' for 24 August 1941.] (3)

3 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Penang from convoy escort duty. (4)

9 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo firing and gunnery exercises off Penang. (5)

13 Sep 1941
Around 1730/13, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Penang escorting the merchant vessel Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911) part of the way during her passage to Madras.

HMS Dauntless parted company with the Ellenga at 2200/16.

HMS Dauntless arrived at Colombo around 0900/18. (5)

20 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0605/20, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), departed Colombo. She first proceeded over the DG range and then went out to sea. At 1400/14 she joined the troopship Westernland (Dutch, 16313 GRT, built 1918) which had departed Bombay on 17 September for Singapore.

They arrived at Singapore around 1300/25. (5)

26 Sep 1941
Around 0630 hours, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Singapore to make rendezvous with the troopship Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) which was en-route from Bombay to Singapore. (5)

28 Sep 1941
Around 0700FG/28, in approximate position 06°08'N, 93°12'E, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) took over the escort of the troopship Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) from HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN).

HMS Glasgow then proceeded to the south-east to make rendezvous with convoy US 12B. (6)

30 Sep 1941
Around 0930 hours, the troopship Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936), and her escort, the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), arrived at Singapore. (5)

2 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong. (7)

6 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Hong Kong. (7)

9 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted DG trials off Hong Kong. (7)

13 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted DG trials off Hong Kong. (7)

14 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Hong Kong for Sandakan. (7)

17 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Sandakan. (7)

20 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Sandakan for Singapore. (7)

23 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Singapore. (7)

20 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo.

HMS Dauntless is to return to the UK to refit. (8)

25 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo. (8)

27 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Colombo for Addu Atoll. (8)

28 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll. (8)

29 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Addu Atoll for Colombo. (8)

1 Dec 1941
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo. (9)

4 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Colombo for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (8)

8 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria. (8)

9 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria for Mombasa. (8)

14 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Mombasa. (8)

15 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Mombasa for Durban. (8)

20 Dec 1941
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Durban. She departed for Simonstown later the same day. (8)

22 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Simonstown. (8)

29 Dec 1941
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown for Pointe Noire. (8)

3 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire. (10)

4 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Pointe Noire for Freetown. (10)

9 Jan 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown. (10)

11 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for Bathurst. (10)

12 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Bathurst. (10)

13 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Bathurst for Ponta Delgada, Azores. (10)

17 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Ponta Delgada, Azores. She departed for Plymouth later the same day. (10)

21 Jan 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Plymouth. She departed for Portsmouth later the same day. (10)

22 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth where she is to be taken in hand for refit. (10)

25 Jan 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) is docked at Portsmouth. (10)

14 Feb 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) is undocked. (11)

17 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted DG trials off Portsmouth. (11)

18 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises and radar trials off Portsmouth. (11)

26 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted DG trials off Portsmouth. (11)

27 Feb 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portsmouth.

[No logs are available for March and April 1942, therefore there might be some gaps in her activities displayed on this page during these two months.] (11)

10 Mar 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. She made a short stop at Plymouth later on this day.

HMS Dauntless is to joined the Eastern Fleet. (3)

14 Mar 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She departed later the same day for Bathurst. (12)

19 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Barhurst. (3)

20 Mar 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) departed Bathurst for Freetown. (3)

21 Mar 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown. (3)

23 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for Porte Noire.

28 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) arrived at Porte Noire.

29 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) departed Porte Noire for Capetown.

3 Apr 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) arrived at Capetown.

Both ships ran over the DG range at Capetown and then proceeded to Simonstown independently. Both arrived at Simonstown later the same day.

HMS Dauntless arrived with defects to her boilers brickwork and had to be taken in hand for repairs.

9 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Mombasa after convoy escort duty. (13)

14 May 1942
The merchant vessel Herisle (British, 2606 GRT, built 1938) had reported to have lost her rudder and was currently to the north of Mombasa. The destroyer HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) was sent out to assist her.

On the 15th more ships were sent out to assist; the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN).

HMS Dauntless took the stricken ship in tow while the destroyers provided A/S escort.

Shortly after midnight during the night of 16/17 May, HMS Hotspur parted company and returned to Mombasa.

Herisle, HMS Dauntless and HrMs Isaac Sweers arrived at Mombasa on the 18th. (14)

29 May 1942
From 29 to 31 May 1942, the light cruisers HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN), HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMS Dragon (A/Capt. G.V.B. Faulkner, RN) and HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Mombasa. During gunnery exercises they used a target that was being towed by HMS Guardian (A/Capt. H.A.C. Lane, RN). (14)

3 Jun 1942

Convoy KM 1.

This convoy departed Mombasa on 3 June 1942 and arrived at Diego Suarez on 6 June 1942.

The convoy was made up of the troopships; HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931), HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Mombasa the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN).

At 1200/5, the convoy escort was reinforced with the corvette HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and the minesweepers HMS Romney (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H.V. Sivewright, RN) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR).

The convoy arrived at Diego Suarez on 6 June 1942.

The convoy departed Diego Suarez on 11 June 1942 to make rendezvous with convoy CM 28 coming from Durban.

Rendezvous was affected around 0800D/13. The convoy had been escorted from Diego Suarez to the rendezvous point by the light cruiser HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa. (15)

7 Jun 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Diego Suarez for patrol between Madagascar and Farquhar Island.

On the 8th she joined forces with HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN). (15)

22 Jun 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Diego Suarez to go to the assistance off the corvette HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and the M/S trawler HMS Shapinsay (A/Skr.Lt. W.S. Flowers, RNR). HMS Genista had grounded at 0240Z/22, east of the Vichy Island of Mayotte in position 12°55'5"N, 44°59'5"E.

HMS Genista cleared the reef around 0900C/23. There was some damage to her Asdic dome.

The French transport General Duchesne (4669 GRT, built 1913) which was at Mayotte, was seized and placed under armed guard and departed Mayotte at 1500Z/22 for Diego Suarez. (16)

26 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Shapinsay (A/Skr.Lt. W.S. Flowers, RNR) arrived at Diego Suarez. (16)

30 Jun 1942

Operation Throat.

Capture of Mayotte Island from the Vichy-French.

Around 2330/30, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Diego Suarez to try to capture Mayotte Island from the Vichy-French during the night of 1/2 July 1942.

On 1 July 1942 the destroyer HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) departed Diego Suarez to join HMS Dauntless for the operation.

At 0600C/2, the island was reported to have been captured with complete surprise. The radio station was intact and one airstrip was ready for operations.

[No further details known for the moment.] (17)

8 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), returned to Diego Suarez from operations. (17)

20 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2315/20, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Mombasa via Mayotte. She was escorting the tanker British Energy (7209 GRT, built 1931).

They arrived at Mayotte around 1020/22.

HMS Dauntless departed Mayotte for Mombasa around 1700/23. (17)

25 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Mombasa around 0830 hours. (17)

31 Jul 1942
During 31 July / 1 August 1942, HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. These included night encounter exercises. During 31 July only HMS Erebus (A/Cdr. H.W. D'Arcy-Evans, RN) was also with them for exercises. (18)

19 Aug 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Mayotte. (19)

20 Aug 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Mayotte for Diego Suarez. (19)

21 Aug 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (19)

23 Aug 1942

Convoy MK 3.

This convoy departed Diego Suarez on 23 August 1942 for Kilindini where it arrived on 26 August 1942.

The convoy was made up of the transports / troopships; Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941) and Ocean Viking (British, 7174 GRT, built 1941). They had on board the 29th Brigade.

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser Dauntless.

The convoy arrived safely at Kilindni on 26 August 1942. (19)

28 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), conducted a practice bombardment shoot off Mombasa. (19)

3 Sep 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Kilindini to participate in operation 'Streamline Jane' the attack on the still unoccupied part of Madagascar.

[More details to follow at a later date. We currently lack more detailed reports on this operation.] (20)

14 Sep 1942
Around 1750D/14, HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Diego Suarez from operations. (21)

15 Sep 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Diego Suarez for operations in the Tamatave area.

[More details to follow at a later date. We currently lack more detailed reports on this operation.] (21)

18 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) anchored off Tamatave. (21)

20 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Tamatave for Diego Suarez. She was escorting ships that had participated in the operations. (21)

22 Sep 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez from operations. (21)

5 Oct 1942

Convoy WS 23.

This convoy was formed off Oversay on 5 October 1942.

It consisted of the following transports / troopships; Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928), Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939), Moreton Bay (British, 14193 GRT, built 1921), Port Jackson (British, 9687 GRT, built 1937), Silverandal (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930) and Straat Malakka (Dutch, 439 GRT, built 1939).

Initial escort consisted of the light cruisers HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN), HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO and Bar, OBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN) and RHS Kanaris.

At 2200Z/6, HMS Durban parted company with the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada to fuel.

At 1850Z/8, HMS Beagle parted company with the convoy to return to the UK. HMS Zetland had a leaking Asdic dome and was apparently also detached on the 8th to return to the UK for a docking and repairs.

At 1000Z/9, HMS Puckeridge arrived at Ponta Delgada to refuel. She departed to rejoin the convoy at 1345Z/9. RHS Kanaris arrived at 1100Z/9 and departed again at 1430Z/9. [It is currently not known to us when they had left the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada.]

At 1545Z/9, HMS Durban rejoined the convoy. HMS Despatch was then detached to fuel at Ponta Delgada.

At 1900Z/9, HMS Puckeridge and RHS Kanaris rejoined the convoy.

At 0100Z/10, HMS Wrestler and HMS Bicester parted company with the convoy to fuel at Ponta Delgada after which they were to return to the UK.

At 0810/Z/13, HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) joined the convoy shorly afterwards followed by HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN).

On 16 October 1942 the convoy arrived at Freetown escorted by HMS Despatch, HMS Durban, HMS Queen of Bermuda, HMS Antelope, HMS Velox, HMS Puckeridge and RHS Kanaris.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The convoy departed Freetown for Durban on 20 October 1942.

The same ships made up the convoy plus the merchant vessels Hai Lee (Norwegian, 3616 GRT, built 1934) and Tamesis (Norwegian, 7256 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Freetown the convoy escort was made up of the light cruisers HMS Despatch, HMS Durban, armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN), escort destroyers HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), RHS Kanaris, sloop HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN) and the corvette HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR).

At 1020A/23, HMS Avon Vale parted company. HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. D.C. Hayes, RNVR) had joined just before. She had sailed from Takoradi on the 22nd.

At 1842A/23, HMS Durban parted company with the convoy to proceed to Takoradi to repair a defect. She arrived at Takoradi around 0745/24 and departed again around 0230A/25. She rejoined the convoy around 0945A/27.

Also detached on 23 October were the two Norwegian merchant vessels and the corvette HMS Tamarisk. These were also to proceed to Takoradi.

The corvette HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR) joined on the 25th coming from Ponte Noire. After she joined HMS Southern Gem was detached to Ponte Noire due to engine trouble.

On the 26th, HMS Amaranthus parted company to join convoy CF 7.

On 30 October the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and the corvettes HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) joined the convoy. These ships had sailed from Walvis Bay, the corvettes at 0600Z/29 and HMAS Norman at 2000Z/29. HMAS Norman joined the convoy around 1300B/30 and the corvettes around 1530B/30.

At 2100B/30, HMS Durban, HMS Despatch and HMS Milford were detached to fuel at Walvis Bay where they arrived around 0840/30. HMS Durban departed Walvis Bay aroud 1845B/31 and she rejoined the convoy around 1800B/1

On 2 November the transport / troopship Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923) joined the convoy coming from Capetown.

At 1330C/2, the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) joined coming from Simonstown.

Around 1545C/2, RHS Kanaris parted company to refuel at Simonstown. She rejoined the convoy around 0100C/3.

At 2215C/2, HMS Rockrose and HMS Thyme were detached to search for survivors from ships that had been torpedoed by German submarines.

At 1950C/4, HMS Express was detached to search for survivors from a ship that had been torpedoed by a German submarines.

At 0530C/5, the escort destroyer HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) joined.

The convoy arrived at Durban in the early afternoon of 5 November escorted by HMS Durban, HMS Carthage, HMAS Norman, HMS Catterick, HMS Derwent and RHS Kanaris.

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The convoy departed Durban around noon on 9 November 1942, now made up of Capetown Castle, Empress of Russia, Highland Monarch, Kina II, Port Jackson, Silversandal and Straat Malakka.

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (Cdr.(Retd.) N.G. Leeper, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage, destroyers HMAS Norman, HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), escort destroyers HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN), RHS Kanaris and the corvettes HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR).

At 1700C/10, HMS Insconstant, HMS Genista and HMS Jasmine were detached.

At 1500D/11, HMS Dauntless, HMAS Norman, HMS Blackmore and RHS Kanaris were detached.

At 1830D/11, the cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) joined.

At 1600E/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined and at 1230E/16, HMS Hawkins parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini taking the Empress of Russia with her. They arrived at Kilindini around 1700D/18.

At 1800E/17, the convoy was split up into the ' Aden section ' and the ' Bombay section '.

The ' Aden section ' was made up of the Highland Monarch, Kina II, Port Jackson and the Straat Malakka. They were escorted by HMS Carthage and arrived at Aden around 1300C/21. They had earlier been joined by the destroyer RHS Panther around 0615/20.

The ' Bombay section ' was made up of the other transports escorted by HMS Mauritius. They arrived at Bombay around 1000FG/24 except for the Silversandal which had been detached on November 22nd to proceed to Karachi where she also arrived on the 24th. (22)

17 Oct 1942
Around 0800/17, HMS Dauntless (Cdr.(Retd.) N.G. Leeper, RN), departed Diego Suarez for Tamatave where she arrived around 0800/18. (23)

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